President’s Report to General Membership November 12, 2009

 

 

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend this last General Meeting of 2009.  I think we are all in agreement that it has been a stressful period for our membership.

 

Over the last year Transit has created upwards of 30 new management positions and heaped promotions, raises and bonuses on administrative employees. This was done in advance of the government edict of “no wage increase” to CAW members.  Meanwhile they have not been able to attract new employees to fill the vacant positions among Conventional and Shuttle drivers because of the low entry wages, hoping instead that a deepening recession and rising unemployment will attract applicants.  As can be seen by the number of open pieces of work in the new Sign-up, they are having little success.  This lack of manpower translates into longer shifts, heavier loads, disgruntled passengers and increasing numbers of CSR’s which cause greater stress on our drivers. Stress leads to lower morale and higher absenteeism. 

 

The union has been defending our members against BC Transit’s  deliberate all-out attack on our Collective Agreement. Transit is attempting to re-interpret our Spareboard Rules, which has caused us to grieve an unprecedented number of violations while they drag their heels through the grievance and arbitration procedures.   Practically all absenteeism is being challenged through call-ins, interviews, intimidation and threats. STD and LTD claims are being denied in record numbers with, in the Union’s view, the tacit approval of BCTransit. This has kept the Union extremely busy.

 

Everyone of us at BC Transit is aware of our upcoming Negotiations.  Anyone with one eye and half a brain knows the government is broke. But they want labour to pay for their obscene overspending for the Olympics. The Liberal government has already tilted the playing field in favour of the employer, saddling us, along with the rest of the public-sector unions, with a “net-Zero” bargaining platform.  This offers very little stimulus for unions to enter meaningful negotiations.  But bargain we must and bargain we will.

 

In preparation for this we have recently sent two bargaining team members, Cher Beattie (Shuttles) and Eric Charchuk (Maintenance), to the CAW-PEL week long Bargaining course in Port Elgin, ON

 

For BC Transit employees, this is a time for new strategies and creative bargaining from your Bargaining Committee. But, above all, it is a time for all of us to set our different issues aside and stand together, to support each other and the Union in achieving a new Collective Agreement in 2010. 

 

There is also positive news to report.  We have a new address as of January 1st!!  While Local 333 was not able to purchase a new building on its own, we, along with Locals 114 and  4276 have signed a new lease at  4248 Glanford Avenue.  The premises are vastly superior to our present address with ample space and parking.  It will be up and running for the General Meeting  in January.

 

Lastly a reminder for Local 333 Christmas/Retirement Dinner and Dance on Saturday, December 5th at the daVinci Centre on Bay at Wilson. Tickets are on sale at the Union office or contact Tana Mackay or Sal Ruffolo. Hoping to see you all there!

 

HandyDART First Canada (91 members) has been relatively quiet although there are a few grievances underway with one probably headed for arbitration.  Unit Chair George Frias and Job Steward Stuart Langford have just returned from their PEL-sponsored course on Grievance Handling & Workplace Leadership. Tim Kilgore is busy organizing their Christmas Party at the Chief and PO’s Mess scheduled for Saturday, November 21st.

 

MediVan Stretcher Service  (21 members) is being served well by Job Steward Mark Cunnun.  Although relatively quiet as well there has been several issues addressed over allegations of favoritism and recognition of seniority. There are presently no grievances filed.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

LR Jones, President